Yes it's Friday. For some this is a great event. I remember in my younger years this was a night to enjoy with out care of responsibility for the next day. Turning back a few pages, when I thought nothing would ever change, I would work feverishly on Fridays, hustle home, wash up and dash off to kung fu class. (click here for a scary view) We'd mash it out for a two hours and then head out to Golden Lotus, later on we headed to Jin Chan, for dinner and time to swap stories. After, I'd head out with some students or some friends to go out and cause some trouble somewhere.
Then Friday meant something different. After becoming a Disciple and cutting some of my activities out, it means fellowship and spiritual feeding. I loved Friday night devotionals. When the church had six regions (North, South, West, East, Campus and Teens), we'd have monthly congregational devotionals, it was packed in that gymnasium. Carlos would lead us in song, and would just get us to sing our hearts out. John preached a lesson that was always a homerun. During the course of the night, depending the nature of the information, but a good amount of time was spent just informing us of what things were happening in the mission fields, plans for the church, "budget meeting" or changes in ministries.
Now Friday, is a pretty big work day, if it's a morning shift, I am making sure we have things ready to rock and roll, if it's a night shift, then I only have this time to get things done, because it is busier than any other night. I don't mind it so much. The only thing I wish I could change is to always have the night off to kick off the weekend with Amy. This is the career path I am on, so we make the sacrifice. I'm tired of working nights though, I know Amy is.
Last night I started reading Nehemiah, again. We'll be studying from it for midweeks, but we'll be with the teens at that time. For some people that I know it brings some emotions they have been able to stuff. Back in 2002, the Pacific Rim World Sector participated in the Nehemiah Project. It was awesome to see so many people commit their lives to Christ then. It's still impressive to think about. I was able to see a good friend get baptized and two more kung fu students come into Christ.
Anyway, about what I read, it was convicting. Right there in chapter one you see that Nehemiah's heart was so convicted about how the Israelites were not taking care of the wall around Jerusalem, and he took on that responsibility personally. Take a look:
Then Friday meant something different. After becoming a Disciple and cutting some of my activities out, it means fellowship and spiritual feeding. I loved Friday night devotionals. When the church had six regions (North, South, West, East, Campus and Teens), we'd have monthly congregational devotionals, it was packed in that gymnasium. Carlos would lead us in song, and would just get us to sing our hearts out. John preached a lesson that was always a homerun. During the course of the night, depending the nature of the information, but a good amount of time was spent just informing us of what things were happening in the mission fields, plans for the church, "budget meeting" or changes in ministries.
Now Friday, is a pretty big work day, if it's a morning shift, I am making sure we have things ready to rock and roll, if it's a night shift, then I only have this time to get things done, because it is busier than any other night. I don't mind it so much. The only thing I wish I could change is to always have the night off to kick off the weekend with Amy. This is the career path I am on, so we make the sacrifice. I'm tired of working nights though, I know Amy is.
Last night I started reading Nehemiah, again. We'll be studying from it for midweeks, but we'll be with the teens at that time. For some people that I know it brings some emotions they have been able to stuff. Back in 2002, the Pacific Rim World Sector participated in the Nehemiah Project. It was awesome to see so many people commit their lives to Christ then. It's still impressive to think about. I was able to see a good friend get baptized and two more kung fu students come into Christ.
Anyway, about what I read, it was convicting. Right there in chapter one you see that Nehemiah's heart was so convicted about how the Israelites were not taking care of the wall around Jerusalem, and he took on that responsibility personally. Take a look:
O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and obey his commands, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father's house, have committed against you. We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses.You see, this is a heart every Disciple needs to posses when it comes to taking the responsibility of the status of their part of the Kingdom. I know I have failed at my part of taking care of the wall. I have not made the effort to get into another person's life as I should have. Like Herve says, "smaller non-American churches don't know exactly what is going on, they love God, read their bible, pray and commit to the fellowship of other Disciples." It's that simple, love God and His kingdom, and one can not help but get in there with others. I am the reason the wall came down. Now, I am the reason it can be rebuilt.
Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, 'If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations, but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if 0ur exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.'
They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great strength and your mighty hand. O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man. Nehemiah 1:5-11
